Candy machinery



,Jiine 24, 1930 w. B; LASKEY ,3

CANDY MACHINERY Filed July 20 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 i lNV TOR 5 ma ww ATTORN EY "June 24,1930. w. B. L ASKEYV 1 1 5,873

CANDY MACHINERY Filed July 20, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY June 24, 1930'. w. 5. LASKEY 1,755,873

' CANDY MACHINERY Filed July 20, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 MTORNEY June 24, 1930. w, LAsKEY 1,765,873

CANDY MACHINERY Filed July 20, males 6 SheeCs-Sheet 4 mvEN o BY MM {\TTORNEY "June 24, 1930. w, s Y I 1,765,873

' CANDY MACHINERY Filed July 20 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet I I .95 1 I 1 0 ,zri

, 7 H; I I

Willi" 'ili Iv June 24 W. B. LASKEY CANDY MACHINERY 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 20 1926 Teams. era

'WILLIAM BARTLETT LASKEY, orBnooKIiYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T MASON, ,w' &

Patented June 24, 1930 i res ' mean rarest erase MAGENHEIMER ooNFEorIoNnnY MANunAcrnnINe coraPANY, or BnooKLYN, NEW

YORK, A CORPORATION or WEST- VIRGINIA I *CA'NDY' MAonINEnY I Application filed July 20,

.This invention relates in general to ma chines for forming confections, and more omacii es. or rmi 1'ses ec1 ll t hn f fo ng con c tionsorconfection centerssuch as illustrated in my copending application, Serial No.

76,570, filed December 21, 1925.

Among the objects of the present invention it is aimed'to, provide an improved mechanism for cutting off the tops of the confection centers being formed and for. returning the surplus portion cut off to the PlELStlCDIQSSCOlL taining tank.

To this end the present invention. specifically contemplates an improved structure whereby the distance of dropfbetween the dis- .cnargeopening and the conveyor receiving the discharged units is reduced to a minimum, thereby to increase. the speed of operation ,and at thesame time facilitate receiving the units before they have had-an opportunity to become distorted in the course-ofdescent.

The present invent-ion still further aims to provide means for liberating the u-nitfroin thecut-oif knives immediately after the cutoif operatlon to reduce the tendency of cllngmg to the cut-off knives to ammlmum after the cutoff operation.

, throughoutits discharging action.

The present invention further contemplate.

'tive discharging plunger is caused to operate,

wher'ebyfthe lower surface of the unit selected, formed by the closure member, will maintain its initially formed surface I Nithout such suction creatingaction, it hasbeen found that as the closure member or scraper mom-- vber opens to free the discharge opening," the unit willibegin todrop outof thedischarge opening ahead of time, and thereby, not being controlled will tend to distort the lower 3 surface of the unit.

To this end theprese'nt invention 0011- 1996. Serial No. 123,624.

The present inventionlstill further contemplates an improved structure wherebythe' unitdischarging means and the unit gathering means will cooperate with, the scraper blade to facilitate the return of the surplus material to the plastic mass receiving tank,- thereby that the unit discharging means and cede to theirraised position at the time that the scraper blade is caused to return the surplus material, whereby a relief in pressure wlll be caused to take-place at the return open ing and thus facilitate the reception of the the unit gathering means will be timed to rematerial being returned by the scraper blade.

v The present invention still further contem plates an improved mechanism forcontrolling the movement of the knives and cut-off blades and scraper blade, requiring a minimum number of operating parts and affording a construction in which the friction may be reduced to a minimum. I I These and other features, capabilities and advantages of this invention will appear from is a section on the-line of;

portion of the machine illustrated in F 3.

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmental sectional views showing the successive positions of the operative parts as compared to Fig. 4. I

Fig. 7,is an enlarged fragm'ental sectional view substantially on the line 7'7' of F igp l. Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view substantially on the "line 8 8 of Fig.7.

Fins. 9 and lOare side and planviews re-- spectively of a chine. I As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, there are provided two side frames 1 and 2 which are suiti ably connected to one another at their lower,

ends by the cross piece 0 and at their intermediate portions by'the crossbar 4. To eitherend of the frames 1 and 2 there are formed the standards 5 and 6 for supporting a suitable framework 7, at the ends of which candy made by the present-mav beyond the standards and 6 there are formed journals for the shafts 8' and 9 provided. with sprocket wheels driven. -The shaft S is providcdrwith a suitable pawl and ratchet mechanism '13 con- 7' its upper end.

nected by the rod 14 with the eccentric ring 15 operatively connected to'the eccentric 16 fined tothe shaft 17, the shaftl'i being operatively connected by the pinion 18in mesh with the pinion 19 on the shaft 20 which'has fixed thereto the main driving pulley 21 con-- nected by the belt 22 with the pulley 23 fixed onthe shatter" the motor 24. a The motor 24 may be located at any suitable place. Inthe present instance it jis mounted on brackets '25lsecured to the rod 26 which connects the side frame 2with theside frame 1 ust below the motor 24. I

Above-the frame 7 there is secured to the side frames 1 and. 2 the plastic'mass containing tank T, whichlinthe present instance has a rear plane wall member 27, a front arcuate member 28 ez-ztending from the'front upper end thereoi down to the rear lower 7, end of the wall member 27, and two plane side n' 'a lls '29 and 30, the tank being open at j In the tank T, the sides and bottoms of the 'c ntection units or confection centers are finally formed. Aft-r, the confection units are discharged from the tank T, their upper surfaces are finally formed, and then the units'received ontins or plates, not shown, supported on the conveyor 12 andre neved thereby to the left end of the machine.

The confection units soughttobe made by the present niachiiiaare such as illustrated in Figs/9 and 10 of the drawings, to wit,

having a plane lower-surface p, two irregular sides each having two depressions (Z, (Z, and an irregular, upper surface having two depressions (Zfd, continuing into one an- 0am to form'substantially three bumps 31,

32 and33. 7 1

For formingthe sides 01" the confection I units, in the present instance, there is pro- :vided a strip having one side thereof formed into a'plurality of die faces,"seven he wall 'lhisdie' strip To form the other sides of the confection units there are'provided another set of die faces,

7 seven in number, to cooperate with the dietaceson the stationary die plate 34; The second set-of the faces are separated from one another and formed in the lower ends of gathering arms Each of these die laces also 7 have three depressions, inflthe present instance, the depressions 39, 40 and 41, the die faces of the' plate 34 and of the gathering.

10 and 11 by which the conveyor chain 121s mounted and arms 38 registering with one another as shown in Fig. 7 to define the lateralontlines of the confection units being formed. 7

The gahering arms 38 extend upwardly and continue into the hubs to receive the shaft 43 which is supported in the journals I 44and 45 secured. to the upper ends of the frames 1 and 2, see F 1, the .front end 01:

the shaft 43 extending'beyondthe journal "44 and having secured thereto a rocker arm 46,

the right end of which has pivotally connected thereto ashde piece 4? slldably mount- 7 axis of the shaft 43st) that the space between the lower ends of the die heads 52 of the gathering arms 38 will increase as the heads '52 are swung upwardly,thereby materially reducing the friction that would result were the heads 52 moving in approximate engage. ment with the inner face 51 of the wall 28' throughout its arcuate movement. To facili= tale the movement of the arms 38. in their downward movement, they are provided with deflecting wings or lllJS 38 near their lower ends which will ten'dto deflect? the plastic mass above the die heads 52upwardlyas the aeads 52 are swung-downwardly. 7 v

In the operationot' the machine,before the heads 52 are caused to swing downwardly into engagement with the die faces on the the plate the discharge openings 53 at the lower end 01' the tanlcl ad acent to the lane wall 27 will be closed by 'thescraper blade- 54, I

the upper surface 55 of .WlllCll'lS substantially plane, in the present instance as shown in 'Fig. 6, the'closed position of the scraper blade 54 is that in which the righthand end 01 the blade 54 is disposed beneath the portions56 ot' the lowerportion-27 of the wall 27, the portions 56 separating the discharge openings 53 from the return openings 57 alsoiormed in the portion 27. Insuch position of the scraper blade 54, it will be noted that the. re turn openings 57 are left substantially unobstructed. v r

'The scraper blade'54'willremain in the closed position shown in Fig. 6 until after the heads 52 of the gathering arms 38'ha ve been swung into engagement, with the die plate 34, see the dot and dash line position oi the gathering arms 38 in Fig. 6, whereupon 'the plunger arms 58 will be'caused initially to rise a fraction of aninch into the position indicated by the dot and dash outline of the plungerhead 59 illustrated in .Fig. 6, the scraper blade then caused to recede to its opened'positiomsee Fig. 3, andthe plunger arms 58 then caused to descend'intoqthe po-Q.

sition shown in Fig. 4 to discharge the contection units out of the discharge openings 58. I

The plunger heads 59. liave' substantially other a short distance substantially'intothe plane lower surfaces, anda lateral outline "conforming to the outline defined by the die faces of thedieplate 34 and the die faces of the die heads '52 when in engagement with one another, as shown in Fig. 7 The upper ends of the plunger heads 59 are secured to the flat plunger arms 58 by any suitable means The upperportions 58 ofthe plunger arms. 58 are composed of flat stock securedat their 7 upper ends to the verticallyextending portion of the cross bar 60, the lateiahends of which are secured to thevertically reciprocatingguide bars 61' and 62, guided in their vertical reciprocation by the guide. brackets 63 and 64. The lower ends of the guide bars 61 and 62 are provided with c am-rollers 65 and 66 adapted tov be engaged by the cams 67 and 68 secured to the ends of the shaft69 on which is mounted the sn'iall gear. 70in mesh with the large gear 71 on the stub shaft 72.

The large gear 71 meshes with the-small pinion 73 on the shaft 17.

It will be noted that the cams 67 and 68 in engagement with the cam; rollers 65 and 66 are formed initially to givethe cam rollers 65 and 66 a short :upwardimpulse and then to permit them to'descend the fullest extent, and again to rise to their-normally raised position, the cam rollers65 and 66 in turn transmitting this action to thecross bar 60 and the plunger arms .58 secured thereto.

Before the scraper blade'54 has been witl drawn into open position, the. cut-off knives 'Ptand 75 will then be caused to reced-e from one anotherinto open position, so that when the plunger arms 58 are-tliereupon caused to descend, the confection units positioned be heath the plunger heads 59-will be free to be discharged. out of the discharge openings 53 into position to be jengagedfby the cut-cit knives 74 and 75;

For'guidingthe plungerheads-tl, it will be noted that the stationary die'plate 34 extends up beyond the higher-most position of the plunger-heads59 so that one side of the plunger heads will be constantly sliding in the depressions85, 36 and 37 of the fixed die plate 34;. It will also be noted by reference to Fig. 6, that when .thedie heads52 of the gathering. arms'38 arecaused to swing downward, their upperaendswillregister with the edges of the plungerheadsbil, so that the guiding of they plunger heads 59. will be assured; I j The cut-off knives 74 and? 5 are caused to approach one another as soon as the plunger arms 58 have discharged the confection units and while they are still engaged by the plunger heads 59 'of'the plunger arms 58. The cut-01f knives will initially approach one another intotheposition indicated in,

Fig. 4 Where they practically engage oneanother. But immediately after so engaging one another, they will recede from'one ancenter.

indicated in Fig. '7, so as to form the upper surfaces ofthe resulting confection centers with two depressions d, as illustrated in Fig.9.. I i f Themechanism for operating the cut-off knives 74: and? 5 and the scraper blade'54 constitute a main part of the present invention. In the present invention,these cut-off knives 'and scraper blade are -mounted. on

elongated arms which swing from a common By means of this arrangement, the mechanism for operating the cut-off knives and scraper blade is considerably simplified and reducedto a minimum number of parts,

affording ready adjustment of the ,knives in cut-oil? position as wellias ready adjustment of the distance throw of thelknives and scraper blade by cams which arecaused. directly to engage and operate the, arms of the cut-off knives andscraper blade. .Furthermore, by mounting'th'e cut-off knives and scraper bladeon arms mounted on a, single center removed a substantial distance from the lower surface of the tank T, the cut-off knives and scraper blade due'to the are described during. their movement will recede from the tank T, the cut-off knives when re ceding from one another and the scraper blade when moving into positionforfreeing the'discharge opening 53, thereby eliminating all friction producing guides for "the knives and scraper blade such'asare gener ally used with mechanism where the knives and scraper blade operate in parallel planes.

Each-of the cut-off knives 74 and 7 5 and the scraperblade :54: extend the full widthof the machine and are supported at their ends the arms referred to. nismj for operating the arms will now be described. The cut-off knife 7 5 is mounted on the vunderslung bracket. 82, the ends of. which are secured to the arms 88 and 84 which extend downwardly into the hubs 85 and 86 whichyreceive the shaft-87 mounted in the brackets 88v and 89 secured to thelower The mechaends of the side frames 1 and 2 respectively:

The knife74: is secured to the overhanging bracket '90, the ends of which aresecured to 1 which are isecured to'the arms 96 and 97 t which extend downwardlyi'nto the hubs 98 c and 99 for receiving the shaft 87. It will be noted that the brackets and move toward the right when swinging toward the tankfTgaiid that the bracket 82'swings toward the left. when causing the. knife 75'to approach the knife 7 4. The arms 83 and84 ofthe knife 7 5 are provided with camhrollers '7 100 which are adjustably mounted on the arms 83 and; 84 by the'bracketslOl. 'The cam rollers 100 are adapted-to engage the cams 102 on the shaft 69. The arms 91 and 92 are also provided with similar cam rollers V 103 adjustably secured inf place bybrackets 104, such cam rollers 103 being adapted to j engage the cam's105 also mounted on the -'shaft 69. Each of the arms 83; 84, 91, 92, and 96,v 97, are provided with slots 101, 104" andiOS' to receive the'bolts 1012104 and 108*? which anchor the lower ends of the- Each brackets 101; 104 and 108 inplace.

'ofthe'arms'83, 84, 91, 92', and 96 97, are also provided with positioning screws such as the screws 84? and .92 qillus'trated in Fig; 4. After the brackets 101, 104 and 108 are located by the'screws, such asthe screws-84 andr92 thereupon the lower ends of such brackets 101, "104 and 108 are fastened in such position by the bolts 1013104, and 108 The cam rollers 100' and 103 are resiliently maintained in engagement with the'cams' 102 and 105 respectively by thesprings 106,

onelspring connecting an arm' 91 with an arm: 83 and the other spring connecting an arrn92=with an arm 84. The arms 96 and 97 arealsoi provided 'with'cam rollers 1107 seto the side frames 1 and 2 respectively. 7 will be noted that the bracket 90 nests into cured to-the arms'96 and 97 by the'brackets, 108. The cam rollers 107 engage cams 109 also mounted on the shaft: 69. The earn rollers 107 are resiliently maintained in en gage nent with the cams 109 by the springs 110jwhich extendfromthe arms 96 and 97 .thebracket 95 whereby, see Fig; 4, the knives c 7 4' and 75 may be caused to approach vone another and engage one another before the scraper blade 54 has started to close the dis- "charge opening 53 and at the same time to scrape the surpluslmaterial cutoff by the blades 74 and 75 through the returniopening 57 into the tank T. j 1

Each of the knives? 4 and 75'have secured to their lowerends a s'teamsupplying tube 111 and'112. The tube 112 extends the full length of the knife 7 5' andhas a series of "perforations .113 at its left hand enddisposed to project steam to the lower cutting edge of the knife 75. 8111111211 133 the tube 111 has orifices 114 at its righthandend positioned to pro ect steam onto the lower cutting edge of theknife 74.

lhe tube 112 is suitably secured to the arms 83 and 84 by suitable pipe fittings 115. These pipe fittings the tube 111 1 connect at a cominonjoint 116 which is connectedby-a resilient conduit 117 with the conduit 118 extending to the valve 110. The;

valve119 is connectedby a suitable conduit 120 .10 the so: i PPLY- 1111i 17 pass through *to guide the same and provided with a can; roller '128 to engage the cam 129. The cam 129 1S so formed and positioned relative to the cam roller 128 that it Similarly, s cc iected to the arms 91 and. 92 by suitable pipe fittings 121, wl1ich pipe ines 121 are conne' ed to a common joint 127; which cam link127has the shaft will cause thevalve 1191 tobeopened top er init'a charge of steam to'be passed into the conduits 118 and 124 to be conducted to the tubes 111 main to issue out of theopein ings 114 and 113'respectively' againstthe l. e edges diately after the knives have separated into the dot and dash line posit-ion indicated in 6, there confection adhering thereto.

54 to be in closed position, that illustrated in 6, the cutoif knives V74 and-'75 separated. from one'another in position shown in of the knives 74mm 75; 1l111ne" v to free the edges'of any par- '1 The operation of the machin'eis substan- V tiarly follows:Assiunejthe scraper. blade 6, a ungers '58 With theirplung'er hears 59 in 1 \ed position shown in full line ns shown in Fig. Thereupon thedgathering arms 2-38 will first be' caused to swing downward until their heads 52 engage the plunger heads 59, see the dot and dash mu,-

c gathering a me inextreme raised position, the dot and dash outhneofsuch line of the gathering arms 38, in F 6. if

Thereupon the scraperblade 54 will recede to freothe discharge openings and substantially at the same time, the plunger a n'is '58 will be caused a short upward impulse so {that the headswill n'Iove into the dot and dash position shown in Fig. 6. 'T his upward movement of the heads 59 will cause a sec t-ion effect on the confection units gathered by the gathering arms to maintain such confection units inra-ised position while the v lhereupon after the scraper blade has enscraper bladerecedes to' free the openin tions take place substantially simultaneously; They are as follows First the scraper blade will immediately start returning the surplus material disposed on the upper surfaces of. the cut-off knives 74 and75. Simultaneously therewith and to facilitate the return of the surplus material into the tank T through the openings'e'l, the gathering arms 38 will swin upwardand the plunger arms 58 will rise.

Simultaneously also the cut-oh knives 74 and 75 vwill separate a short distance into the position illustrated in dot and dash outline in Fig. 6. Simultaneously therewith also the valve 119 will be actuated to cause the charge of steam to issue from the openings 118 and 11 i to clear the knife edges of the cut-E knives 74 and of any material that might cling thereto. Theseparationjof the cut-off knives 74 and 75 from-one another into the dot and dash outline illustrated in Fig. 6 is intended to free any particles of the confection that might be caught there'be tween such as cocoanut shreds, nutparticles and the like. v

The confection units will then be received on trays or tins supportedon the'conveyor 12 at rest during such recelving action, and 1mmediately after such units have been received,

From the foregoing it will be seen that by; means of the'overhanging brackets and the distance'between the lower surfaces of the cut-off knives 74 and 7 5 and theupper surfaces of the trays on the conveyor l2: may be reduced to a minimum so that the distance of descent from the cut-oil blades 74 and ,75

to the trays on the conveyor may be reduced to a minimum. By this means obviously the speed of the machine may be increased and the tendency of the confections to distort while dropping from the blades to the trays besubstantially eliminated. I I

The, formation of the gathering arms 38v withtheir hubs 42 and heads 52 cooperates. to nest the plunger arms 58 in the desiredrelation to the discharge openings 53 vith regard to distribution of Weight of the several parts properly to strengthen the same.-

As shown in Fig.1, thehubs 4-2 extend from the arms 38 to the front of the machine and the heads 52 extend from the arms 38 to the rearof the machine. The hubs42 are spaced from one another on'the shaft 43 to the same. plunger armi58w1ll be disposed ad acent to one gathering arm 38 and so arranged that its head 59 will slide adjacent to the head 52 of its ad acent gathering arm 38.

- It is obvious that various changes and.

modifications may be made to the details of construction Without departing from the general spirit of theinventio'n set forth in the appended claims. 1

I-claimi i 1. In a machine of the class described, the

combinationwith a'plastic mass containing tank having a vertically extending plane wall at one end and an arciia-te wall atthe other end extending from the -upperedge of the tank down .to the lower end of said plane;

Wall, there being a discharge opening in said tank adjacent to said plane wall, of a fixed die disposed adjacent to said plane wall and in line with one side of said discharge open ing for defining one side of the confection unit to be formed, a movable dieIadapted to move intoengageinent With said fixed die and into alinement with the other side of said discharge opening, to define the other side of the confection unit to be formed, a closure for the discharge opening temporarily to support the confection unit being formed, a discharging head for engaging the confection ing said unit through said discharge openpermittheplunger arms "58 to pass betweesr It will also be seen that each unit disposed between said dies and discharge ing and means for causing said closure to open when said discharge member functions to discharge: a unit. l r y 2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with atank, there being a discharge opening ins'aid tank, of a fixed die in said tank adjacent to said discharge opening and in line'with one side thereof to define one side of a confection unitto be formed, a movable die'cperable in. said. tank to move in. engagement with said fixed die to collect a unit of-material and in alinement with the otl er side of said discharge opening to define the otherside of the unit to be-formed, a closure for said pening, means fordischarging the unit located between said dies through said discharging opening, andaneans for actuat ing said closure to clear said discharge opening when said dischargingmeans functions to discharge a unit.

3. In a machine of-the class described, the

combination with a plastic mass containing tank hav ng. a vertically 6XtIICl111gPlLT1C wall, at one end and an arcuate wall-at'the in line With one side of said discharge open ing for defining one side of the confection unit .to be formed, a movabledie adapted to move comb nation with a plastic mass containing j,the,upper edge ofthe tank down to the lower into engagement with saidfixed dieand into alinemcnt with the other side of said discharge opening to define the other side of the confection unit to be formed, a closure for the discharge opening temporarily to support the confection unit-being formed, a discharging head for engaging the confection unit disposed between said dies and discharging said unittl rough'said discharge opening, means .tfor causing said closure to open whensaid discharge member functions todischarge a unit, a pair of cut-oil knives operably niounted beneath said tank to form the upper surface of the unit being discharged, a conveyor for receiving the unit discharged and removing the unit received, and an overhanging bracket for carrying one ofthe knives to clear the path of movement of the unit carried by V the conveyor.

4. In a machine of the .class'describ-ed the tank having a vertically extending plane wall atone end and an arcnate wall at theother end extending from the upper edge of the tank down to the lower end of said plane wall, there being a discharge opening. in said tank adjacent to said plane wall, of a fixed die I disposed adjacentto said plane wall and in. 11113 with one s de Of'SQlCl dischargeopening.

for defining one'si'de of theconfection unit to be formed, a movable die adapted to move intojcngagementwith said fixed die andflinto alinement with the. other side of said dis- Lcharge opening to define the other side oi the confection unit to formed, aolosure for the discharge opening temporar ly to support the confection un'i't 'being formed, a -discharging for causin' said closure to 'open'when said head for engaging the confection unit dis osed between said dies and discharging said unit through said discharge opening, means i D discharge member functions to d schargea unit, a pair of cut-off knives operably mount:

ed beneath said. tank to form the upper sure face of the unit being discharged, a conveyor for receiving the unit discharged. and advancin it beyond the plane wall of, tlie'tank and an. overhangingbracket for one of said knives operably mounted adjacent to said plane wall to clear the. path of movement of theunit being received by the conveyor;

5 In a machine oftheclassdescribed, the combination with a, plastic mass receiving tank having a planewall at onelend and an the in arcuatewall at the other end extending'from edge of said plane ell, there being a dis, charge opening insaid tank adjacent to'said plane, wall, of means for discharging a unit of confection through said discharge opening,

7 a pair of cut-off knives operably mounted b neath said tank to form the upper surface of it being discharged, a conveyor for recei ing the unit discharged and advancing it beyond said plane Wall, and anovcrhanging bracket for carrying the eiid of Saidcut-ofi knives and operable adjacent to said "plane wall to clear. the path of movement of the unit receivedby said conveyor; 6. in a machine of the class cxtcndingrfrom theuppei' edge of the. tank downto the lower end of said plane wall, there being a discharge opening in said tank adjacent to said plane wall, of inea'i'is for'discharging a unit of confection through said discharge opening, a pair of cut-on" knives for 7 7 described, the combination With a tank having a plane wall at one end, an arcuate wall at the otherend cut-off knife and actuated adjacent to said plane wall to clear triepath of movement of the unit received by said conveyor.

7. In a'inachine of the class described, the combination with tank having a'plane Wall at one end, an arcu'ate iv all' at the other end extending from the'upperedge of the tank I down tothe lower end or said plane wall,

there being a dischargeopening in said tank adjacent to said plane wall, of means for dis charging a unit of confection through said discharge opening, pair of cut o'fi' knives for;

formingthe upper siiir'i' ace of the unitbeing discharged, a conveyor for receiving the unit discharged and advancing it beyond said plane wall, an'underslung bracket for opers ably moving oneof the cut-0E knives actuated beneath said arcuate well, an overhanging bracket for operably mounting tlieother cutoff knife and actuated adjacent to said plane wall to clear the path of movement of the: v

unit received by said conveyor, there being a return opening in l tank adjacent to said discharge opening,'a scraper blade, and an;

overhanging bracket for op'erably, mounting said scraper blade above said cut-off knives and actuated adjacent to said plane wall, to

return tliesurplus material cut of? by said cut-off knives into said tank through said re turn opening. I I a Y 8. In a machine of the character described, the'conibination with a tank having an arcuat'e wall extending irom the bottom thereof and extending to the upper edge thereof,

there being a discharge opening at the bottom oi": said tank, oia fixed die in said tauk adjacent to said discharge opening, a moi able die, anarm secured tosaid movable die and pivotally connected at its upper end, said movable die passing through a path of move 7 ment ad acent to said arcuate wall, the curve of the arcuate Wall receding from the path of movement extends upwardly, whereby the friction caused by'the movement of said movable the Will be reduced to a minimum,

meansfondischarging a unit of confection I disposed between said movable die and'said fixed die, a closure for closing said discharge opening while said movable die moves toward said fixed die, and means fo'r opening said closure when said discharging-insane functions to discharge a unit of confection,

v9. In amachine of the character described,

the combination with a tankhaving an arcua'te wall, there being a discharge opening at the bottom of said tank, of a fixed die dis posed along-sldeof said discharge opening,

a movable die, an arm secured to said moviLblQ'CllB and pivoted at its upper end to cause said movable die to travelin a path of move-' mentadjacent to said arcuate wall, means for discharging a unit of confection located betweensaid dies, a closure for closing said 'movable ,die

discharge opening when said functions, means for open ng said closure when said discharging meanswfunctions to discharge a unit, and a wing formed on said movable die disposed at an angle toits path of movement, todeflect a portion of the plas- 1 opening, the upper surface of which serves s as a support for a unit-of confectionto be discharged, a fixed die in said container extending upwardly from i one side of said discharge opening, a movable die adapted to engage said fixed die and extend upwardly from the other side of said'discharge opening, a,

plunger head slidably mounted between said dies todischarge the unit of material located between said dies, means for operatingsaid closureto free the discharge opening in order to permit said plunger head 'to discharge the unit located between' said dies,

and means for causing said plunger head to rise when said closure'is caused to opento effect a sucking action on the unit of materialidisposed between said. dies temporarily to holdup the unitvof material until the closure has entirely opening.

11.1n a machine of the character decleared the discharge scribed, the combination with a plastic mass containing tank having a discharge opening .at the bottom thereof, a closure for the discharge opening, a-discharging plunger for extrudinga unit of plastic mass located on said closure,means for causing said closure to clear said discharge opening to permit said discharging plunger to discharge the unit disposedabove said =closure,= and means for causing said discharging plunger to effect a sucking'action on the unit disposedabove said closure, to hold'thelsame against pre maturedischarging until after said closure has entirely cleared said dlscharge open ng, 12. In a machine of the class described,

' the combination with a plastic mass containlng tank having a discharge opening and surplus return'opening, of a fixed die in'said tank adjacent toone side of said discharge opening,amovable die operable in said tank to engage said fixed die and position a unit of material between sald dies, a plunger for discharging the unit of material positioned between said dies through said discharge opening, cut-off knives operable below said I discharge opening to cut off the surplu's'material of sa1d unit and form the upper surface" thereof, a scraper operable above'said cutoff knives to return the surplus material to said tank through said return opening, and

means for causing said plunger and movable die to begin its return movementwhen said scraper blade operates to return the surplus material thereby to relieve the pressure at said return opening. J

13. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with a plastic mass receiving tank, of means forfldischarging a unit of plastic mass from said tank, a pan of arms' pivotally mounted on a common center, a cut-off kmfe supported on each arm, and

means for causing said cut-off knives to up preach one another to receive the unit discharged from said tankand cut 05 a portion thereof.

i let. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a plastic mass containing tanln'cut-oif means, a-shaft, arms pivotally' mounted on said shaft and secured to said cut-off means to support the same, a cam, means for yleldably mamtainmg said arms in engagement with said cam, means for actuating sald cam to cause said cut-off means to engage the unit discharged and cut a portion therefrom, and adjusting means'on said arms for adjusting the distance of threwof said cut-ofi"n1eans. V I

15. In a machine of the class described,

the combination with a plastic mass contain mg tank, cut-off means, a shaft, arms pivotally mounted on said shaft andsecured to said cut-off means to support the same, a cam, means foryieldably maintaining said arms in engagement with saidjc'am, means for actuating'said cam to cause said cut-01f means to engage theunit discharged and out a portion therefrom, and an adjustable bracket on said arms cooperating; with said cam to permit adjustment of the distance of throw of said cut-off means.

16. In a machine of theclass described,

the combination with a plastic mass containing-tank,'0f means for discharging a-unit from said tank, a pair of c'ut-oif knives, a shaft, supportingarms pivo'tally connected to said shaft and supporting' said cut-off knives, a cam shaft disposed'b'etweenusaid" V pair of arms, camsfon said camshaft, means for yieldably maintaining said arms in engagement 'with said cams, and means for ac- -tuating said cam shaft and cams to cause said cut-off knives toengage the unit discharged and cut'a portion therefrora, l.

17; In a machine of the class described, the combination with a plastic mass contain- .ing tank, of means for dischargiiig a unit fromsaid tank, a pair of cutoff knives, a

shaft, supporting arms pivotally connectedto said shaftand supporting said cut-ofi' knives, a cam shaftdisposed between said pair of arms, camson' saidcam snaft,lmeans for yieldably maintaining saidfarms in engagement With said cams, and means'for ac- V tuating said cam shaft ant, cams to cause said cutoff knives to engage the unit discharged and cut a portion therefrom, said canisr being formed 'to cause said cut-off knives immediately to recede from one another after the cut-off. action to; facilitate clearin the cutting. edges of the knives of any material that might adhere-thereto.

18.- Ina machine of the class described, the

combination with a plastic mass containing tank, of means for discharginga unitfrom Y said tank, a pair of cut-011' knives, a shaft,

supporting arms pivotally connected to said shaft and supporting said cut-oif knives,

cam shaft disposed-between sa d pair of arms,

" cams on said camshaft, means for yieldably ;maintaining saixdarms in engagement with said cams, means for actuating said cam shaft and camsto cause said cut-off knives to engage the :unit discharged and cut-a portion therefrom, and 'steain supplying means for issuing steain'to the cuttingredges of said knives immediately after the cuttingtlCilOIL to clear the cutting edges of any material that might adhere thereto, 7

' combination with a plastic mass containing tank, of means for discharging a unit of plas-.

' 19. Ina machine of theclass described, the

tic mass from said tank, a pair of cut-offknives operating in opposition to one another, a

shaft arms ivotall mounted on said shaft 7 .V V

and, supporting said out-off knives, cam

means for'causing said cut-off knives toengage the unit discharged and cut a portion therefrom to form'one surfacetliereof,a

scraper blade slid-ably engaging the upper surfaces of said cut-off knives, arnispivotally mounted on said shaft and supporting said scraper blade, and cam means for actuating,

tank having a'discharge opening and a return opening, of means for discharging a unit of [plastic mass from said discharge open ngs pair of cut-off knives for engaging'theunit of theclass described, the

discharged and cutting off the upper-portion thereof to form the upper surface of the unit i r discharged, a shaft, arms pivotally connected to said shaft and supporting said .CLlt Oii knives, cam means for actuating said arms to causesaid cut-off knives toapproach one another to perform the cutting operation,

scra er blade sli-dabl wen 'a 'in the u ner 3 g a: 8 pl surfaces of said cut-off knives, arms support- 111g said scraper blade and pivotally connect-' ed to said shaft, and means for actuating said scraper blade arms to cause said scraper blade to en 'a e the sur his material cut off by said cut-ofi' knives'and return it tosaid tank through said return opening.

21. In a machine of the class described, the combination withia plastic mass containing tank, of means for discharging a unit-of plasrtic mass from said tank, cut-off means, a

shaft, arms pivotally mounted on said shaft and supporting said cut-oft means, means for actuating said .cut-ofl means to engage the .ilastic unitdischar 'ed and cuttin a aorti'on therefrom, asteam supplying conduit se-. cured to said cut-off means, a steam valve, a flexible conduitconnecting said steam supplying conduit With saidsteam valve, and means for controllingisaid steam Valve to permit a charge of steam being ejected from said steam supplying conduit into engagement with said cut-off means immediately after the cut-off action to free the same of any material that might cling thereto.

22. In a machine oftheclass described, the' combination with a 'plastic'inass containing tank having a discharge opening at the bottom thereof, of means for discharging a unit of plastic mass through said discharge openf ing, a pair of cut-off knives, a shaft, arms piv- V otally mounted on saidshaft and supporting a sa d cut-off knives, means for causing said cut-0E knives to approach one another to engage the unit discharged to cut a portion therefrom and'form theupper surface thereof, a steam supplying conduit secured to each.

thereof,a main steam supplying valve, 2. flex 'ible conduit connecting the steam supplying conduit with said valve, and means operably connected to said valve to cause'said valve. to permit a charge of steam being supplied to said steam supply conduit to be ejectedonto the cutting edgesof the cut-off knives immediately after the cut-0E action.

ing a discharge opening in said tank, of a fixed die disposed in alinen ent with one side of said discharge opening, a movable die operable in said tank to select a' un t of material and-locate the same adjacent to said fixed die.

in position to be discliargedfthrough said discharge opening, a closure for'j said opening,

and means for actuating saidclosure to clear saiddischarge opening after said unithas 110 cut-0E vknife adjacent to the cutting edge 23. The combination With a tank, there ber been located the unit.

ing a discharge openingsaid tanlqof a fixed' diedisposed in alin'ement with, one side of said discharge opening, a movabledieoperable in said tank, means-for actuating "said die toselect a unit of plastic'material'and 10-.

cate the same adjacent to said'fixedtdie and adjacent to said'discharge openingiprepara tory to discharge, and meansfordischarging the unit selected.

' 25. Ina machine of the class described, the combination'with atank having a vertically e iextendingwalhthere being a discharge open 'ing in said tank adjacent to said wall, of a selecting arm for selecting a unit. ofjplastic I material in said tankand locatingthe same a "over said discharge opening in position to be discharged therethrough, and means for discharging the unit through said discharge openin f '26,. Ina machine of the class described, the combination with a tank containing a mass of plastic material having a vertically extending a outer wall, there being a discharge opening" in said tank adjacenttothe lower end ofs'aid wall, of means for extruding a portion of the plastic material contained'in saidtank through said discharge, opening, cut-ofi knives for cutting a'unit from said extruded portion, and an overhanging bracket carry i'ng one of the knives to clear the path of movement of the unit being discharged.

27; In a machine of the class described, the combination-with a tank containing a mass of plastic material having a vertically extending outer wall, there being'a dischargev opening in bracket for supporting one ofsaid cut-oif 'ceived by said conveyor. I I

28. In a machine ofthe'class described, the

1y, whereby the friction caused by the move:-

a minimum.

In a machine of the class described, the v I comblnatlon with a tank containing amass of plastic material having an arcuate wall extending upwardly-from the bottom thereof,

there being a discharge opening in said tank at the lower end of said arcuate'wall, means' for selecting 'aunit of material from said mass and locating it in position to be dis-' arcuate wall, the curve of the arcuate wall rcment of said'selecting die will be reduced to v chargedthrough said discharge opening, said ceding from the'path of movement of the freefend of said arm as it extends upwardly.

v 80. In amachine of theclass described,the-

combination with a plastic mass receiving container havmg a discharge opening at its lower end, of a closure for said discharge serves as a support'for a unit of confection tioned above said discharge opening, means for operating said closure to free thedischarge opening in order topermit' said plung- 3 erto discharge the unit positioned, above said opening, the upper surface of which closure I discharge-opening, andmeans for causing said plunger to use when said closure is charge opening temporarily to hold upthe caused to open to effect asucking action' on I the umt of material disposed above said disunit of material disposed above said dis-f charge opening until the closure has entirely themovementyof the closure. -i e 1 WILLIAM BARTLETT LASKEY;

(knives: and operable adjacent to said wall to f clear the path of movement of the unit re I i v Y combination with atankcontaining a mass. of

plastic material and having an arcuate wall extending upwardly from the bottom thereof,- a fixed die, there being a dischargeopening in said tank, a selecting arm, a selecting dieon I said arm for selecting a unit of material from v said mass and locating it adjacent 'to-"said fixed die in position to bedischarged through said discharge opening, and means for actucleared the" discharge openingto facilitate saidtank adjacent to thelower endof said i I 'wall, ofimeans for extruding a portion of the plastic material contained in said tank through said discharge opening, cut-01f v knives for cutting a unit from said extruded a portion, a conveyor for receiving the unit discharged and advancing itbeyond said *verti- ,cally'extending wall, and an overhanging 

